~ Books ~

I know that the sidebar says that I've been reading The Wednesday Sisters. I will read it, I intend to read it next. But in the meantime I've read these two.

The Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond

This is an intense story of the power of love and the depth of loss. A bit slow in parts, but worth the read.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

An old man looking back at his life in the circus. A story of survival and power of love. However, warning of some descriptive parts and occassions. Only two occurrances, but still a small warning.

~ Review ~

Things I Want My Daughters to Know

I didn't think I was going to keep reading this book after the first couple chapters. It wasn't grabbing me. I'm glad I did. It's revealing story of 4 daughters who lose their mother and have to keep on living. It's real, it's honest and I enjoyed it.

~ Reviews ~

Before I Die By Jenny Downham

I didn't finish this book. The premise is that the 16 year old girl is dying of cancer. She, of course, has a list of what she'd like to do before she dies. However, the first item is have sex. Then proceeded to have a detail account of her first experience with a guy she meets at a bar. Thanks but no thanks...I have too many book on my TBR list. Not highly recommended.

Last Light by Terri Blackstock

This books is about a modern world completely shutting down and civilization learning to continue life without any power. If was an interesting story, and certainly one that puts my own prepardness level into focus, but the writing was great.

~ Here at the end of the world, we learn to Dance ~

Here at the end of the World, we learn to Dance

I wish this had been better, I wish it had been riviting and compelling and kept me up at night. It didn't. I felt obligated to finish it just to see what happened. I started turning pages and scanning to see if there would be anymore good parts, there weren't. This book recived awards, or maybe the author did on previous attempts....I can't remember. It's not high on my list of favorites, in fact it didn't even contend.

~ Outakes from a Marriage ~

Outakes from a Marriage by Ann Leary

This was interesting mix of trials of a marriage mixed in with the stresses of being a celebrity. Quick easy read, but a lot of language, particularily the big bomb.

~ Losing Gemma ~

Losing Gemma by Katy Gardner

Just okay, I didn't love it. Had a great twist at the end, but most of the time I felt like I was reading just to see what happened not because I was enjoying the story.

The Woods by Harlan Coben

This book I enjoyed as much as the rest of Coben's books. I especially enjoyed the fact that it was longer so there was more goodness to read. This one took on a more serious tone and wasn't quite as witty as some of the others. But still enjoyed.

~ Breaking Dawn ~

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

A and I ran to the city on Saturday morning to pick up this book. We didn't go to any of the midnight madness as we're simply too old to even stay up that late. Plus, why would we stay up so late when we can just run to Costco and grab it, for less euros' too. All the 'Jeuvenile Readers" are not thinking of Costco for their book purchases, that's Mommy Land.

Like many of you, I'm a old, happily married mother that is in love with Edward and Jacob. It's sad, I know.

So this book.....was okay. I've enjoyed some of the earlier ones more. I wish it could have been as exciting for the whole thing as it was at the end. I appreciate where the author was going with the story. How many more aspects she added for this book, and how she finished it off....but I was almost making myself read it for the first while. It wasn't drawing me in.

Makes me wonder if she felt like she was under a lot of pressure to write it...seemed like it.

Whatever, it's easy reading and I now own the whole collection so I'll read them again one day.

~ New Blog Items ~

So I read, this is not a revelation....I am capable. I read a fair bit. I notice that lots of people lately have a listing of the books they've read, or are reading. Well I'm going to copy.

I read for entertainment, and escapism....which is a word I've recently learned. But I'm not generally one to just pick up a book, and especially not buy one just to try. I hate forcing myself through the first couple chapters and then giving up on it, especially when I've paid actually dollars for it. I have a monorific (that's good, the library does not actually have mono) library here in my town. They'll bring in any book I request.

Also, books have been on the forefront in my mind since Anonymous left this comment. This is way better than the last Anonymous comment that was left, if you remember that little cat fight.

Anonymous said...
I was wondering if you have ever considered writing for a career? You are an excellent read! Your writing is very dynamic, funny and wraps up very nicely. I would love to read a novel written by you and many people agree. I have a friend who is an author who accidentally found your blog and is intrigued with your abilities. You have a talent, you should use it and show it off. Just a thought.

Can you believe that??!?!?!!

First of all....thanks Anonymous. That's very flattering and caused a bit of thought on my part this week. Some of you are laughing at the possibility of this. Thinking, I can't keep two thoughts straight, never named a novel. Other's are thinking....ooooooohhhhhh ya, a whole book trashing people and the stupid things they do and say. So it's something I've been mulling this week. Not the possibility of it, cause I just don't really see it happening. But the idea of exploring my horizons and all that jazz.

Oh, and all you cynics out there that think that

a. I wrote that comment myself on my own blog.

OR

2. Joanne wrote it, cause she likes me = )

It was an actual comment, deal with your issues.

So rather than think I'm going to be some best selling author. Cause lets face it, I only talk about my own life and criticize the lives of those around me. I don't know that I have an actual story going on. I'll keeping thinking about it. (k focus)....so rather than think I'm going to be a best selling author (yes I know I said this already....I'm re-focusing).....so rather than think I'm going to be a best selling author, I thought I'd start by reviewing, trashing and generally giving my opinions on the books I'm read, reading or started and hated.

This is not an impressive list to the avid reader. As I said I read for escapism (I'm going to use that new word a lot now) and I read for entertainment. I don't usually read things that take a lot of thought, cause I don't need anymore thoughts in my head.

That was a lot of slobber just to get to this part.

So, here are a couple of the books that I've read this summer.

Dum, dum, dum, dummmmmmmmm (bugle call please) Oh, and I'm not giving some huge review with spoilers and moldy parts (you know, spoiling and moldiness). I liked it or I didn't. And I don't mind books with some language and inappropriateness. Cause I'm generally inappropriate and am known to use language, hello, I have a blog. That's language. But I may also use the other kind, from time to time, when needed and required, to emphasize my points. Read it or don't, I really won't lose sleep over it. There might even be (gasp) sex in the book. Those are usually the best ones. Anyway, don't judge me....I'll read what I want. (I'm a little snappy today.....sorry, it's summer, the kids are home all day, everyday, and they don't leave)

The Girls by Lori Lansens

This book is about conjoined twins.

I liked it.

Do you want more than that? Cause I wasn't really planning on more.

I liked it, what more is there to say.

The Final Detail by Harlan Coben

Loved these.

Very modern murder mysteries.

I laughed out loud a couple times.

What's the most funny though, this was lent to me by my MIL. Makes the transvestite cross dressing content even funnier.

k, there were more but the picture uploading takes a long time.

On my list, don't know if they'll be good or bad. Why are they on my list, mostly because they are on other people's lists...and again, don't usually pick up random books.

The bean trees : a novel by Kingsolver, Barbara.

The blooding of Jack Absolute by Humphreys, C. C. (Chris C.)

Breathing room by Phillips, Susan Elizabeth.

Briar Rose by Yolen, Jane

The bright side of disaster : a novel by Center, Katherine.

The capture by Lasky, Kathryn

Feathers by Woodson, Jacqueline.

The five people you meet in heaven by Albom, Mitch

The history of love by Krauss, Nicole.

Home to Big Stone Gap : a novel by Trigiani, Adriana.

If you come softly by Woodson, Jacqueline.

The kite runner by Hosseini, Khaled.

Losing Gemma by Gardner, Katy

Love walked in : a novel /by De los Santos, Marisa

The lovely bones : a novel by Sebold, Alice.

Madapple by Meldrum, Christina.

The magic of ordinary days by Creel, Ann Howard.

March : a novel by Brooks, Geraldine.

The midwife's apprentice by Cushman, Karen.

Palace council by Carter, Stephen L.

Pigs in heaven by Kingsolver, Barbara.

The poisonwood bible : a novel by Kingsolver, Barbara.

Princess Academy by Hale, Shannon.

Resistance : a novel by Shreve, Anita

Sarah's quilt : the novel of Sarah Agnes Prine and the Arizona territories, 1906 /by Turner, Nancy E.

The secret scripture : a novel by Barry, Sebastian

Okay that's it. The list is way longer but it's taking forever to format all the stuff out that copied when I copied and pasted the list from my library listing. Like, this isn't supposed to be an irritating task.

So, in a cashew shell ( I know the phrase is nutshell, I don't like to conform)

I read.